LARGE STRIKE FACE HAMMER
A hammer includes a handle and a head. The head is disposed on an upper portion of the handle. The hammer includes an overall length dimension. A ratio of the overall length dimension to the surface area of the striking surface of the head is less than 11.0. The head also includes a striking surface at one end thereof and a head weight. The head may be integrally formed with the upper portion of the handle, wherein a ratio of the head weight to the surface area of the striking surface of the head is less than 16.25. The head may alternatively be mounted on the upper portion of the handle, wherein a ratio of the head weight to the surface area of the striking surface of the head is less than 14.0. The head can have a ratio of radial measurements that is less than 1.0.
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The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/151,100, filed on Feb. 9, 2009, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated into the present application by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to hammers and more particularly to a hammer having a large strike surface.
Conventional hammers typically include a head (e.g., made of steel, or titanium) fixedly secured to or integrally formed with a rigid handle. During use, a striking surface disposed on the head of the hammer is configured to strike against an object, such as a nail or chisel.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONOne aspect of the present invention provides a hammer that includes a handle and a head. The handle includes a bottom end and an upper portion. The head is disposed on the upper portion of the handle. The head includes a striking surface at one end thereof. The hammer includes an overall length dimension. A ratio of the overall length dimension of the hammer measured in inches to the surface area of the striking surface of the head measured in square inches is less than 11.0.
Another aspect of the present invention provides a hammer that includes a handle and a head. The handle includes a bottom end and an upper portion. The head is disposed on the upper portion of the handle. The head includes a striking surface at one end thereof. The head includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced recesses located adjacent to but spaced from the striking surface of the head.
Another aspect of the present invention provides a hammer that includes a handle and a head. The handle includes a bottom end and an upper portion. The head is disposed on the upper portion of the handle. The head includes a striking surface at one end thereof and a head weight. The head of the hammer is integrally formed with the upper portion of the handle. A ratio of the head weight of the hammer, measured in ounces at 3.0 inches from the top of the head, to the surface area of the striking surface of the head measured in square inches, is less than 16.25.
Another aspect of the present invention provides a hammer that includes a handle and a head. The handle includes a bottom end and an upper portion. The head is disposed on the upper portion of the handle. The head includes a striking surface at one end thereof and a head weight. The head is mounted on the upper portion of the handle by inserting the upper portion of the handle into a portion of the head of the hammer. A ratio of the head weight of the hammer measured in ounces to the surface area of the striking surface of the head measured in square inches is less than 14.0.
Yet another aspect of the present invention provides a hammer that includes a handle and a head. The handle has a bottom end and an upper portion. The head is disposed on the upper portion of the handle. The head includes a striking surface at one end thereof. The striking surface of the head has a first radius measurement. The head of the hammer has a second radius measurement. The second radius measurement is measured at a section of the head that is positioned a distance from the striking surface of the head. The distance for taking the section is substantially equal to the first radius measurement. A ratio of the first radius measurement to the second radius measurement is of the head is less than 1.0.
These and other aspects of the present invention, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structure and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures. In one embodiment of the invention, the structural components illustrated herein are drawn to scale. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. It shall also be appreciated that the features of one embodiment disclosed herein can be used in other embodiments disclosed herein. As used in the specification and in the claims, the singular form of “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
In one embodiment, the handle 12 is made of metal, a composite material, or a synthetic material. In another embodiment, the handle 12 of the hammer 10 is made of a lighter material, such as wood, aluminum, a plastic material, a fiberglass material, or other suitable material. As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
In one embodiment, the striking surface 20 of the hammer 10 is slightly convex in order to facilitate square contact during driving of nails.
As noted above, the head 14 of the hammer 10 is disposed at the upper portion 18 of the handle 12. In one embodiment, the head 14 of the hammer 10 is integrally formed with the upper portion 18 of the handle 12, as shown in
As noted above, the hammer 10 includes the overall length dimension OAL. In one embodiment, as shown in
In one embodiment, as shown in
Similarly, in the case of integrally formed (one-piece) hammers (as shown in
In one embodiment, as shown in
During a nail pulling operation, this configuration of the hammer i.e., the major diameter D (largest diameter) of the poll 45 extending higher than the top central surface 46 (or any other surface) of the hammer head 14, causes the nail to be pulled out of the work piece in a generally straight line direction. Even though the major diameter D of the poll 45 extends higher than the top central surface 46 of the hammer head 14, the hammer 10 is nevertheless constructed and arranged to be able to stand or rest on the head 14 in an upside down configuration on a horizontal rest surface, thus, allowing the user to store the hammer 10 with handle 12 pointing in a generally upward direction (as shown in
As shown in
The cross-sectional views shown in
The cross-sectional views shown in
The first column in TABLE 1 provides a model number of the hammer under consideration. The hammers labeled Stanley® Graphite correspond to the two-piece hammer embodiments disclosed herein (data for 16 ounce and 20 ounce hammers are provided). The hammers labeled Stanley® AVX2 correspond to the integrally formed hammer embodiments discussed herein (data for five Stanley® AVX2 hammers are provided, with weights of 16, 20, 22, and 28 ounces; two 20 ounces being indicated, one a nailer and one a framer hammer).
The second column in TABLE 1 provides a nominal weight, measured in ounces, of the hammer under consideration. The third column in TABLE 1 provides a brief description of the hammer. The brief description of the hammer may include information, such as, whether the hammer includes a one-piece, a two-piece or a three-piece construction, and the material of the handle of the hammer under consideration. As noted above, the handle of the hammer may be made from a fiberglass (FG) material, wood, or a steel material. Alternative descriptive information for some models is also provided for identification purposes as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.
The fourth column in TABLE 1 provides information related to the type of the hammer under consideration. The information related to the type of the hammer under consideration may include whether the hammer is a framer type, or nailer type. The fifth column in TABLE 1 provides the type or the style of the claw disposed on the head of the hammer under consideration. The type or the style of the claw includes rip-type or claw-type.
The sixth column in TABLE 1 provides the overall length dimension OAL, which is the total maximum axial height of the entire hammer (as shown in FIG. 1), of the hammer under consideration. The overall length dimension OAL of the hammer under consideration is measured in inches.
The seventh and the eight column in TABLE 1 provide the diameter “D” of the bell and the diameter “d” of the working strike surface of the hammer under consideration, respectively. The diameter “D” of the bell and the diameter “d” of the striking surface of the hammer are both measured in inches.
The ninth column in TABLE 1 provides the surface area of the striking surface of the hammer under consideration. The surface area of the striking surface is calculated using the diameter “d” of the striking surface z (which excludes chamfer 48), and is measured in square inches. Hammer faces typically include a slight curvature that may slightly increase the surface area of the striking surface. The values mentioned herein assume a flat face for ease of making calculations. Specifically, the surface areas disclosed herein and to be used in all calculations utilize the outer diameter (or outer/peripheral dimensions in the case of a non-circular strike face) of the striking surface, without taking into account the slight increase in surface area that results from the slight curvature of the striking face. Thus, the surface area of the striking face as disclosed and measured herein is generally measured along a plane having the outer dimensions corresponding to those of the strike face.
The tenth column in TABLE 1 provides a ratio of the overall length dimension OAL of the hammer to the surface area of the striking surface of the head of the hammer for the various hammers under consideration. As noted above, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the ratio of the overall length dimension OAL of the hammer 10 to the surface area of the striking surface 20 of the head 14 is less than 11.0. In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the ratio is between 10 and 8.8.
The eleventh column in TABLE 1 provides a ratio of the overall length dimension OAL of the hammer to the bell diameter of the head of the hammer for various hammers under consideration. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the ratio of the overall length dimension OAL of the hammer to the bell diameter of the head of the hammer is less than 11. In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the ratio is between 9.94 and 8.02.
The twelfth column in TABLE 1 provides a distance from the striking face to the center of the handle. As shown in
In one embodiment, the hammer 10 with large strike surface 20 is configured to reduce the delivery of a slanting blow, deflected blow or a blow in an oblique direction. The hammer 10 with large strike surface 20 makes it easier for the user to deliver a strike or a blow against an object, such as a nail or chisel.
Hammer 10a may include like features as described above with respect to the embodiments of
Referring to the embodiments as shown in
The total diameter of the bell 44 is indicated by “D” and includes the dimensions of the flat surface 47 and chamfer 48 (e.g., where the surface 47 and chamfer 48 meet). The diameter of the strike face 20 is indicated at “d” and excludes flat surface 47 and chamfer 48. A first radius measurement “R1” of the strike face 20 is indicated in
For non-circular strike faces 20, the “R1” dimension is taken as the largest radius (or largest dimension) measured from the center of the strike face. For example, for an oval strike face, the radius corresponding to “R1” as discussed herein would be half (½) of the length of the major axis.
As shown in
The radius measurement “R2” is taken at a section though the hammer head location at a position that is spaced a length or distance from the center point 34 of the strike face, which distance is equal to “R1” (the radius of the strike face) taken along the axis X-X towards the hammer handle.
Though not specifically shown, the diameter of the head 14a of the integral hammer 10a shown in
The first column in TABLE 2 provides a model number of the hammer under consideration. The hammers labeled Stanley® Graphite (data for nominal 16 ounce and 20 ounce hammers provided) correspond to the two-piece hammer embodiments in accordance with certain aspects of the invention. The hammers labeled Stanley® AVX2 correspond to the integrally formed hammer embodiments in accordance with certain aspects of the invention (data for four Stanley® AVX2 hammers are provided, with nominal weights of 16, 20, 22, and 28 ounces).
The second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth columns, provide a nominal weight, brief description, information related to the type of hammer, type or style of the claw, and the overall length dimension OAL, respectively, of the hammer under consideration.
The seventh and the eight columns in TABLE 2 provide the diameter “D” of the bell (including the chamfer 48 if one is provided) and the diameter “d” of the working strike surface of the hammer under consideration, respectively. The diameter “D” of the bell and the diameter “d” of the striking surface of the hammer are both measured in inches.
The ninth column in TABLE 2 provides the surface area of the striking surface of the hammer under consideration. The surface area of the striking surface is calculated using the diameter “d” of the striking surface z (which excludes chamfer 48), and is measured in square inches. Hammer faces typically include a slight curvature (so as to be slightly convex) that may slightly increase the surface area of the striking surface in comparison with a planar surface having the same outer diameter. The values mentioned herein assume a flat (planar) face for ease of making calculations. Specifically, the surface areas disclosed herein and to be used in all calculations utilize the outer diameter (or outer/peripheral dimensions in the case of a non-circular strike face) of the striking surface, without taking into account the slight increase in surface area that results from the slight curvature of the striking face. Thus, the surface area of the striking face as disclosed and measured herein is generally measured along a plane having the outer dimensions corresponding to those of the strike face.
The tenth and eleventh columns in TABLE 2 provide a ratio of the overall length dimension OAL (measured in inches) of the hammer to the surface area (measured in square inches) of the striking surface of the head of the hammer, and a ratio of the overall length dimension OAL of the hammer (measured in inches) to the bell diameter of the head of the hammer (measured in inches), respectively, for the various hammers under consideration. In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the ratio of the overall length dimension OAL of the hammer 10 to the surface area of the striking surface 20 of the head 14 may be less than 11.0. In other embodiments and claims relating to the shape of the head, weight to surface area ratio, or relative radiuses, this OAL to surface area ratio may be greater than 11.0. For the avoidance of doubt, each independent claim herein stands on its own merit and is not dependent on or inclusive of limitations of other independent claims.
The twelfth and thirteenth columns in TABLE 2 relate to measurements taken for hammers having a two piece head configuration. That is, these columns correspond to those various hammers having a head that is configured to be mounted on the upper portion of separately formed handle, such as shown in
The twelfth column indicates the weight of the hammer head for a two piece hammer, for the various two-piece hammers under consideration. The head weight W of the head 14a is weighed as a separate unit from the handle, and measured in ounces (oz). The thirteenth column indicates a ratio of the hammer head weight (measured in inches) to the surface area (measured in square inches) of the striking face of the head of the hammer for the various hammers under consideration. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the ratio of the head weight of the hammer to the surface area of the striking surface of the head is less than 14.0, although in other embodiments it may be greater than 14.0.
The fourteenth column provides a hammer head weight for a one piece or integrally formed hammer for the various hammers of integral construction under consideration. In this case, in order to determine the head weight W of an integral hammer, the head is defined as an upper portion of the hammer taken at a distance H from the top or uppermost surface 150 of the head 14a along axis A-A (e.g., see
The first column in TABLE 3 provides a manufacturer name of the hammer under consideration. The second column in TABLE 3 provides a model number of the hammer under consideration. The hammers labeled Stanley® Graphite correspond to data for nominal 16 ounce and 20 ounce hammer embodiments. The hammers labeled Stanley® AVX2 correspond to data for four Stanley® AVX2 hammers in accordance with one aspect of the invention, with weights of 16, 20, 22, and 28 ounces. The third column provides the nominal weight, in ounces (oz), of the hammer under consideration.
The fourth and fifth columns of TABLE 3 correspond to a first radius measurement R1 (measured in inches) and a second radius measurement R2 (measured in inches) of the head of the hammer for the various hammers under consideration. As noted above with respect to
The sixth column provides a ratio of the second radius measurement R2 to the first radius measurement R1 of the head of the hammer for the various hammers under consideration. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the radio of the second radius measurement to the first radius measurement (R2/R1) of the head of the hammer is less than 1.0.
To measure a hammer in accordance with the above, the diameter d of the striking surface is first measured (e.g., with calipers). The radius R1 is then determined by taking half the measurement of the diameter d. The head of the hammer is then measured to determine R2. R2 is a radius of a cross-section of the hammer head, wherein the cross-section is taken at a distance spaced from the strike surface. Specifically the cross-section can be taken at a distance from the strike surface that is equal to the length (or distance) of R1. The distance or length (e.g., equal to R1) is measured from a central point on the strike surface, along a central axis X-X through the bell of the hammer, toward the hammer handle axis. At that distance (R1), R2 is determined by taken the shortest distance from the central axis X-X to the (closest) exterior surface of the head in a radial direction. To facilitate measuring R2 on a physical hammer, it may be easiest to cut (e.g., by sawing technology) (along section Z-Z) through the head at a distance R1 from the strike surface in a direction generally perpendicular to axis X-X and then measuring the distance R2 from the axis X-X to the closest outer surface.
The hammers 10 and 10a disclosed herein provide a large strike face without adding weight to the head of the hammer. Specifically, the hammers disclosed herein, and characterized in TABLES 1, 2, and 3, have a greater strike surface 20 surface area than other hammers within the same nominal weight class.
Other data of TABLES 1, 2, and 3 further indicates various differences of the hammers of the present invention over conventional hammers. Not all of these differences are discussed in detail in this specification, but the different relationships of various dimensions, weights and sizes are disclosed in, or can be derived from TABLE 1, TABLE 2, and/or TABLE 3 of
Although the invention has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. In addition, it is to be understood that the present invention contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any embodiment can be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment.
Claims
1. A hammer comprising:
- a handle, the handle having a bottom end and an upper portion; and
- a head disposed on the upper portion of the handle, the head having a striking surface at one end thereof,
- the hammer having an overall length dimension; and wherein a ratio of the overall length dimension of the hammer measured in inches to the surface area of the striking surface of the head measured in square inches is less than 11.0.
2. The hammer of claim 1, wherein the ratio is between 10.0 and 8.8.
3. The hammer of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced recesses located adjacent to but spaced from the striking surface of the head.
4. The hammer of claim 1, further comprising an over-strike protecting structure constructed and arranged to surround a portion of the handle adjacent to the upper portion of the handle, the over-strike protecting structure is constructed and arranged to prevent breakage of the handle, when the hammer fails to strike an intended object.
5. The hammer of claim 4, wherein the over-strike protecting structure comprising an additional layer of material molded on a portion of the handle to dissipate impact energy and stress due to an overstrike.
6. The hammer of claim 1, wherein the head is integrally formed with the upper portion of the handle.
7. The hammer of claim 1, wherein the head is mounted on the upper portion of the handle by inserting the upper portion of the handle into a portion of the head of the hammer.
8. A hammer comprising:
- a handle, the handle having a bottom end and an upper portion; and
- a head disposed on the upper portion of the handle, the head having a striking surface at one end thereof,
- wherein the head comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced recesses located adjacent to but spaced from the striking surface of the head.
9. A hammer comprising:
- a handle, the handle having a bottom end and an upper portion; and
- a head disposed on the upper portion of the handle, the head having a striking surface at one end thereof and a head weight;
- the head being integrally formed with the upper portion of the handle, and
- wherein a ratio of the head weight of the hammer, measured in ounces at 3.0 inches from the top of the head, to the surface area of the striking surface of the head measured in square inches, is less than 16.25.
10. The hammer of claim 9, further comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced recesses located adjacent to but spaced from the striking surface of the head.
11. The hammer of claim 9, wherein the head further comprises a chamfer circumferentially along edges of the striking surface.
12. The hammer of claim 11, wherein the head further comprises a flat surface circumferentially along edges of the chamfer.
13. The hammer of claim 9, further comprising an over-strike protecting structure constructed and arranged to surround a portion of the handle adjacent to the upper portion of the handle, the over-strike protecting structure is constructed and arranged to prevent breakage of the handle, when the hammer fails to strike an intended object.
14. The hammer of claim 13, wherein the over-strike protecting structure comprising an additional layer of material molded on a portion of the handle to dissipate impact energy and stress due to an overstrike.
15. A hammer comprising:
- a handle, the handle having a bottom end and an upper portion; and
- a head formed separately from the handle and connected to the upper portion of the handle, the head having a striking surface at one end thereof and a head weight, and
- wherein a ratio of the head weight of the hammer measured in ounces to the surface area of the striking surface of the head measured in square inches is less than 14.0.
16. The hammer of claim 7, further comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced recesses located adjacent to but spaced from the striking surface of the head.
17. The hammer of claim 7, wherein the head further comprises a chamfer circumferentially along edges of the striking surface.
18. The hammer of claim 7, wherein the head further comprises a flat surface circumferentially along edges of the chamfer.
19. The hammer of claim 7, further comprising an over-strike protecting structure constructed and arranged to surround a portion of the handle adjacent to the upper portion of the handle.
20. The hammer of claim 19, wherein the head is configured to be mounted on the upper portion of the handle by inserting the upper portion of the handle into a portion of the head of the hammer.
21. A hammer comprising:
- a handle, the handle having a bottom end and an upper portion; and
- a head disposed on the upper portion of the handle, the head having a striking surface at one end thereof;
- the striking surface of the head having a first radius measurement generally taken from a central axis of the striking surface to a periphery of the striking surface;
- the head of the hammer having a second radius measurement, the second radius measurement being measured at a section of the head that is positioned a distance from the striking surface of the head along the central axis, the second radius measurement generally taken from the central axis to the closest outer surface of the head;
- the distance from the striking surface at which the second radius measurement is taken being substantially equal to the first radius measurement, and
- wherein a ratio of the second radius measurement to the first radius measurement is of the head is less than 1.0.
22. The hammer of claim 21, wherein the head is integrally formed with the upper portion of the handle.
23. The hammer of claim 21, wherein the head is formed separately from the handle and connected to the upper portion of the handle by inserting the upper portion of the handle into a portion of the head of the hammer.
24. The hammer of claim 13, further comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced recesses located adjacent to but spaced from the striking surface of the head.
25. The hammer of claim 13, wherein the head further comprises a chamfer circumferentially along edges of the striking surface.
26. The hammer of claim 25, wherein the head further comprises a flat surface circumferentially along edges of the chamfer.
27. The hammer of claim 13, further comprising an over-strike protecting structure constructed and arranged to surround a portion of the handle adjacent to the upper portion of the handle, the over-strike protecting structure is constructed and arranged to prevent breakage of the handle, when the hammer fails to strike an intended object.
28. The hammer of claim 27, wherein the over-strike protecting structure comprising an additional layer of material molded on a portion of the handle to dissipate impact energy and stress due to an overstrike.
29. The hammer of claim 21, wherein the ratio of the second radius measurement to the first radius measurement is less than 0.95.
30. The hammer of claim 21, wherein the ratio of the second radius measurement to the first radius measurement is less than 0.90.
Type: Application
Filed: May 5, 2009
Publication Date: Aug 12, 2010
Patent Grant number: 8047099
Applicant: THE STANLEY WORKS (New Britain, CT)
Inventors: Robert A. St. John (Cheshire, CT), Paul Wechsler (Glastonbury, CT), Keith M. Lombardi (Avon, CT), Karl Vanderbeek (New Haven, CT)
Application Number: 12/436,035